~ Researching Russell Co, Kentucky

Metcalfe County, Missouri Stephens Families

I really enjoy reading Randy Seaver’s blog at http://www.geneamusings.com. I find it educational as well as entertaining! Last May, Randy posted a list of databases at Ancestry.com that don’t have name indexes. http://www.geneamusings.com/2010/05/finding-ancestrycom-databases-without.html There very first database on the list was the Missouri Still Birth & Miscellaneous Records, 1805-2002. Because I haven’t had alot of luck finding records in Missouri, I thought I’d give it a try. I used it to look for all Stephens families in Ripley County between 1950 and 1860. Taking that information and combining it with census records, I thought I might be able to find a family with a Lucy Stephens of the correct age to match the Lucy who married Andrew Stephens in 1858. Although I didn’t find a family with a Lucy, I thought I’d post what I did gather in case it helps someone else. And who knows, these families just might be related…I just haven’t made the connection yet.

Ripley County is on the Southern edge of Missouri directly north of Arkansas. It borders Clay Co, Arkansas, and Missouri Counties Butler, Clay , Carter, Randolph and Oregon Counties.

According to her gravestone, Lucy was born 16 Dec. 1842. At the time of the 1850 census, she would have been about 8 years old and should show up in the census.

1850 Ripley Co. Census
Washington Stephens – age 73, born in Virginia

Juda Stephens – age 65, born in NC

Jackson Stephens – age 24, Tenn

Marshal Stephens – age 22, Tenn

George Stephens – age 17, Tenn

1851 “I do certify that I did solemnize the rights of marriage between Jackson Stephens and Elizabeth York on the 22th day of June 1851 Griffin Eldridge JP (the images do NOT look like Eldridge, but web site http://tmsnyder.tripod.com/Ripley.htm_ has a list of JPs and ministers) Recorded this 1 day of July (Ancestry, Missouri Marriage Records, Ripley Co, Image 1)

“I do certify that I did celebrate the rights of matrimony between Martiel Stephens and Samantha Smelser in year 1851 Griffin Eldridge Recorded this October 1851 A. Dearmon JP Clerk. (Ancestry, Missouri Marriage Records, Ripley Co, Image 1)

1852 George Stephens and Sarian Kinsy – 10 Sept. 1852

“Be it remembered that I have this day solemnized the rights of matrimony between George Stephens and Sarian Kinsy the the 7th day of Sept. A.D. 1852. Recorded this the 10th Sept. 1852. (Psonn?) W. Pennington minister the gospel. (Image 4)

1858 This is to certify that I the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Ripley in the state of Missouri did in and at said county of Ripley solemnize the rites of matrimony between Andrew J Stephens and Lucy Stephens on the 25th day of April 1858 Given under my hand on the 27th day of May AD 1858. Paulsen M Smelser Justice of the Peace. (Book C pg 56) NOTE: Ancestry has this indexed as 1881. (Image 8 )